Usually we do not cover mobile phones but VNUNet seems to have a new interesting story that Nokia is stepping away from its N-Gage phone/handheld gaming device. "N-Gage is still being sold but it was not a success in the sense of developing a new category," said Antti Vasara, Nokia's vice president for corporate strategy. "We learnt that people want to play games on all devices. As such we are integrating the gaming software into Series 60 phones." N-Gage devices will still be produced by primarily for the Chinese and Indian markets.

Set in the distant future, players are members of courier teams hired to transport the precious crystalline mineral fuel source. As the players make their way to their goal, they will encounter gangs of marauders, and rival teams, attempting to steal their payload. Only successful runs will earn the cash and kudos required to progress through to the more challenging levels. We had a chat with Tantalus Interactive's CEO Tom Crago, and Producer John Szoke.

Nokia announced the latest addition to the N-Gage platform, the N-Gage QD game deck, is now available for the US market. Bundled with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and with a street price as low as $99.99, the N-Gage QD game deck offers consumers unparalleled mobile gaming featuring a compact package, new ergonomic design and enhanced gaming features.

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts, today announced that The Sims Bustin' Out is in development for the N-Gage game deck. The Sims fans will be able to create their own characters and take them anywhere, while on the move and interacting with the mobile community. The Sims Bustin' Out on the N-Gage platform will have exclusive objects, as well as unique "mini games" where players can earn extra Simoleons.

Nokia today announced new game titles for the N-Gage mobile game deck, including previously unannounced Nokia published games. Coming during 2004, the latest additions to the portfolio bring mobility to the strategy, action, sports, and racing genres, allowing mobile gamers to play a range of both exclusive N-Gage games and blockbuster titles in a new and exciting way... Details listed below!

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts (EA) today announced that the true authority in soccer gaming, FIFA Soccer 2004 will be released for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. The soccer season of FIFA Soccer 2004 on the Nokia N-Gage game deck will get players into amazing 3D stadium graphics, and head-to-head multiplayer gameplay via Bluetooth wireless technology.

As typical with any new game platform launch, gamers across North America created and took part in activities in celebration of the N-Gage mobile game deck's October 7 on-sale date. Flash mobs were seen yesterday in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, and a mysterious N-Gage crop circle was discovered in Minnesota. Gamers also took to the street to perform street art and leave reminders that the N-Gage game deck would take gaming to the next level. And more festivities in celebration of the N-Gage game deck's availability are planned for the coming days.

Nokia today announced the ConnectCoder, N-Gage Mobile Game Deck Game Battle 2003, a competition for game developers across Europe, the United States and Canada to find the hottest game ideas that take advantage of the unique mobile online functionality of the Nokia N-Gage game deck. Helping to unleash the creative and innovative spirit of the game community, the competition runs until January 31, 2004.

Nokia, together with Electronic Arts today announced that NCAA Football 2004 will be developed for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. One of the best-selling titles from the EA SPORTS range, NCAA Football on the Nokia N-Gage game deck gives mobile quarterbacks the chance to lead their team to the championship anywhere, anytime. The first college football season of NCAA Football 2004 on the Nokia N-Gage game deck will focus on a range of unique mobile features, including multiplayer gameplay via Bluetooth wireless technology.

The Nokia N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active and hardcore gamers, the Nokia N-Gage is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay over Bluetooth and GPRS... Today we have some new screens from following titles:

• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
• Red Faction
• MotoGP
• Marcel Desailly ProSoccer
• Rayman 3
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
• Virtua Tennis
• MLB Slam!

Nokia today announced an agreement with Electronic Arts (EA) to deliver select EA titles for the highly anticipated Nokia N-Gage platform. Beginning this year for the holiday season, EA will deliver some of its leading game titles for the Nokia N-Gage, the world's first mobile and connected game deck that will be available globally on October 7, 2003.

Last week we revealed that Nokia was working on a new handheld console and today Activision, Inc. confirmed that the company plans to support Nokia's highly anticipated N-Gage platform. Activision also confirmed that it expects to work closely with Nokia on developing games that would support the platform at launch. Starting to sound exciting indeed!